Keep in mind that people read resumes about halfway down the page/screen before deciding if they are going to continue reading, save it for later or hit the delete button. Anything marketable about you should be in the top third of the resume.

The optimal length of the resume will depend on your experience. A person with a single year’s experience and a four-page resume is in trouble, as is a person with 10 years experience and a one-page resume. Be concise and try to fit your resume into three pages. Need to cut down? You don’t need an objective — it’s a waste of precious space, unless you are a career changer.

3. General Summaries Bad, Technical Summaries Good

General summaries can help if used sparingly and appropriately. Technical summaries are more helpful, because the first person reading your resume could be non-technical and only knowledgeable enough to look for keywords. However, there should not be a laundry list of every technology you have ever heard about.

4. Dates Matter

Be clear about your dates of employment. Most companies want to see months, not just years — especially if you have some jumps or if you are currently unemployed (i.e. they want to see how long you have been out). It’s better to be upfront than to make them guess.

5. Highlight Accomplishments, Not Just Job Functions

The descriptions of your positions should ideally be a mix of a broad overview and specific accomplishments. That way, recruiters will know what you did day-to-day, but also what effect your activities had on the overall company or department.

6. Quality Writing Still Matters

Long-winded paragraphs or bullets are mind numbing, but short choppy sentences can appear simplistic. The ideal resume should have a combination of short paragraphs and bullets — or even just bullets. If you opt for bullets, combine related activities into one bullet where appropriate to save room.

The most overused phrases on resumes are “responsible for” or “participated in.” It’s hard to know if you were just a bystander or a true contributor or even a leader on a project. It’s okay to use these terms once or twice, but it’s much better to use something like “managed,” “completed,” “administered,” “developed,” etc. If you are having trouble coming up with action verbs, Thesaurus.com should be your new best friend.

8. There Are No Rules About Education Placement

Education placement is variable. If you went to a particularly good school, have an advanced degree or have a very relevant degree to the types of roles you are pursuing, then it might be worth putting at the top, but it’s okay for education to be at the bottom, too.

The same applies for certifications — but if you have many, then it might consume too much space at the top. Assuming your resume has the experience to back up the certifications, your prospective employer will be intrigued enough to get to them at the end.

The ubiquitous “Interests” section isn’t really necessary; however, if there’s something you are particularly proud of and it’s short, then feel free to include it at the end of your resume. There is always the possibility that when you put “competitive running” on your resume that the person reading your resume is a marathoner and gives you an interview for that reason. However, you should exclude any activities that could be seen as overly political or offensive.

10. Be Prepared With A Versatile Resume Template

Sometimes it’s valuable to have more than one version of your resume. For example, if your background could be applicable to manager or individual contributor positions, you don’t want to scare someone off with a heavy manager resume for a contributor role or vice versa. However, you should not make yourself crazy writing a new resume for every position that comes up (an especially tempting habit if you are unemployed).

1. Do you think that it is difficult to complete all the work in a Single Day ?

2. Do you think Time is passing faslty and you are not getting the objectives till now ?

3. Do you have the feeling that you are not giving time to your family and friends ?

It will not work for everyone. If you see at-least any of the two symptoms in yourself, go ahead. Otherwise, leave here.

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Happy news, if you are reading this text. It means you have a positive approach towards yourself and the issues. You need to learn the art of Time Management. ALMIGHTY ALLAH has provided everyone with equal 24 hours a day, 30 days and Month and 365 days a year. But why we see some persons have MORE in life than you. Actually the Successful person is one who Manage the Time Wisely, Effectively and most important Purposefully.

Thefirst and foremost thing I will advise in this regard is Discipline. The Self-Discipline is the first start towards knowing and managing yourself. The rest is on the rest till this. You cannot manage the rest, if you cannot manage yourself. Start knowing yourself, make your Work & To-Do lists, Wish lists, Strength and Weaknesses lists and many more what you want. I will specially advise you to make a Not-Possible list and put all the things which can not be possible. Remember everything is not possible for everyone. Prioritize them and start managing them. What should be done? What will be the benefit for this particular task? How it should be done? What time and cost will it input start benefiting me? What quality results will be acceptable for me?

Next to Self-Discipline is, Concentration. Stop multi-tasking anymore. Naturally, we want to get more by doing multiple but it is wrong approach. Doing less but with control is thousand times better than starting with bulk and leaving incomplete and un-understandably. According to a famous American psychologist Harry Lorayne, Nervous breakdown is not due to work-load or hard working itself, rather it is due to the fact that the problems find no solution. Each and every issue need due concentration to get melt. It counts more than paying time, if you are not doing it with attention. Most often, people use to say that we paid enough time but no results. The reason is how much you engage yourself with the task ? How much you have developed deeper relationship which is required ? The highest level of sincerity and dedication plays magical role in improving results with in almost no time. No issue, from today start building a connection with each and every activity of life. Initially it will be difficult for you to pay attention to the details but eventually you will increase your results, boost your memory and faster your actions. Moreover, you will learn more than what you are actually doing.

Time Management Zones

With the increasing need of relationship between work and time, experts have designed four zones in which a person may belongs to.

1st Zone

People in first zone do not like hastily. They do not like deadlines, they do work with calm.

These people have lot of problems related to Time management in their lives.

2nd Zone

People in second zone do not like Planning. Mostly, they like to do work at the last moment.

These people have less level of stress related to Time management in their lives.

3rd Zone

People in third zone continuously do keep any eye on future and like making plans and execute them timely. They love to deadlines and work accordingly .

These people have moderate level of stress related to Time management in their lives.

4th Zone

People in fourth zone achieve success very early. They know the art of time management and use their time very wisely. Such people challenge the deadlines and try to achieve them before the actual time. Such people always try to finish the work the work as fast as possible.

These people have highest level of stress related to Time management in their lives.

For knowing this, you need to do small activity. This test will tell your time zone as well as if stress in Time managements is your problem or not.

Steps of the Activity

1. See the clock and close your eyes.

2. Calm yourself.

3. Consider 60 seconds are passed.

4. Now open your eyes and see the clock.

If the remaining time is equal to or less than 30 seconds, your time zone is 4th. You are highly affected by stress due to time management.

If the remaining time is between 30 and 50 seconds, your time zone is 3rd. You have moderate level of stress due to time management. It shows you think time is less for completing the tasks.

If the remaining time is between 51 and 60 seconds, your time zone is 2nd. You have very low level of stress due to time management.

If the time exceeds 60 seconds, your time zone is 1st . It shows you are careless about knowing the importance of time and its management at all.

By this simple activity, I will advise you to now start knowing and managing yourself by the art of Self Discipline, Paying Attention to the Detail and finally Lowering the Stress on Yourself by Completing more tasks in a day, month, year and in the LIFE.

Did this activity worked on you ? Is it interesting ? Do you want to add your experiences about how to manage your time ?

The author of this article is blog author himself and have interest in writing and personal development area.

At the end of every job interview, you’ll encounter the inevitable question, “Do you have any questions for me?”

While it’s an oh-so-predictable event, many job candidatesaren’t prepared to shine when they reach this final test in the interview. Failing to ask any questions or asking the wrong questions can send the wrong signals.

Stephanie Daniel, senior vice president of career management company Keystone Associates, spoke with us about her thoughts on how job interviewees can take control of their next job interview by asking the right questions. Read on for her thoughts on what to ask and which questions to avoid when it’s your turn to interrogate.

Asking Right Questions

When the interviewer gives you the opportunity to ask your own questions, be prepared. Daniel recommends that interviewees prepare five to seven questions, with the expectation that there will probably only be time to ask just three. “Keep in mind that some of the questions you might have prepared will be answered during the course of the interview, so it’s always a smart idea to have back-ups,” says Daniel.

“Too many job seekers respond to this standard interview question with the standard ‘safe’ responses,” says Daniel. “‘Will I be hearing from you or should I contact you?’ or ‘Why is this position open?’ In this very competitive job market, job candidates cannot afford to ask safe questions. Candidates must show that they are the best candidate by demonstrating that they are looking out for the needs and interests of the interviewer.”

So, what types of questions should you ask? Daniel suggests considering a few of the following:

Is there a work issue that keeps you up at night and, given what you know about my background, how do you think I could help?

“Here’s your opportunity to demonstrate a genuine interest in the day-to-day challenges your future manager is facing, Daniel explains. “By asking this question, the interviewer will start to envision you as an employee and will give you some initial thoughts on how you might help solve their most pressing problems.”

What is the most gratifying aspect of the work you do for XYZ company? What’s your best advice to someone starting out at this company?

“Asking the interviewer about the most gratifying aspect of the work she or he does helps you better understand what drives them,” Daniel explains. “Drivers include things like making the best product on the market, helping others, making money, curing an illness or creating a hot, new technology, etc. Ask yourself how the interviewer’s drivers align with your own. The answer to the ‘best advice’ question yields valuable insights on what behaviors lead to a successful transition into the company. It gives you clues on what you can do to put your best forward in your potential new role vis-à-vis building new relationships, gaining product knowledge, and avoiding potential pitfalls.”

Could you describe your ideal candidate for this job? Why are these qualities important to you?

“The ideal qualifications were probably outlined in the job posting,” says Daniel. “But many of these postings are not actually written by the hiring manager. Here’s your chance to directly ask the interviewer what he views as the most important qualities of the successful candidate and why.”

I’m sure you have a number of goals you’d like to achieve in the coming year. Do you have a particular one that is top priority?

“This question allows you to turn your attention to the interviewer and his most important priorities,” says Daniel. “Is there a particular goal the interviewer has talked about that lines up well with some of your current experiences? If so, let the interviewer know how you can contribute.”

Other great questions may revolve around key drivers for employees, what characterizes top performers at the company and whether the interviewer would like to know anything more about the interviewee’s background, says Daniel.

To avoid making a bad impression at your interview, Daniel suggests thinking about the connotations behind each of the questions that you’re asking before you ask them. Here are three questions that tend to leave a bad taste in interviewers’ mouths, she says:

“A valid question, yes, but if you ask it too soon, it might appear that you are more concerned about the work schedule than you are about the actual work,” says Daniel.

Is there a possibility I could work remotely?

“Telecommuting can be a positive thing for both the job seeker and the company, but your timing in asking this question is critical,” Daniel explains. “If asked too soon, it will convey a lack of enthusiasm for getting to know the team and work environment. Demonstrate your interest in the role and potential contributions to the company before inquiring about telecommuting/flex-time, etc.”

How long do people typically stay in this position before they move on the next role?

“A desire to grow in the organization is admirable,” says Daniel. “But if you’re asking this question early on in the interview process, the interviewer may question your genuine interest in the position you’ve applied for. Frame the question in a way that demonstrates both your long-term commitment to the company and your professional growth.”

Preparing and Managing Time

Once you’ve chosen which questions you’d like to ask, you can either memorize them or write them down. Daniel advises:

“It is not unprofessional to bring a list of questions on paper. If you choose to write them down, make sure you bring them in a presentable notebook or folder, not on a crinkled, loose-leaf sheet of paper. Presentation is very important. That said, make a conscious effort to remember the questions so that you don’t have to rely on your notes. Opening a notebook can be somewhat distracting, and what’s even worse is reading the questions verbatim without making eye contact with the interviewer.”

Once you’ve finished asking all that you’d like to ask, it’s important to close an interview on a good notes, says Daniel. “Rather than fretting about running out of questions, take the left-over time to thank your interviewer and let him or her know how much you’re interested in the position. Cite specifics about why and briefly reiterate a key point about your background that relates to the position. This is called the ‘close,’ and it’s a critical phase of the interview.”

To get what you want, you first need to have a clear picture of your desire. Take time to think about what you want in life and what would it feel like to have it. If you merely want a paycheck, for example, you can get one in a job you hate or one you love. Which would you prefer? List your criteria for living well, for having that desire.

When you have a vision of where you want to be, set goals to help you move toward that vision. If, for instance, you want financial independence at a certain age, set incremental goals each year to get you there. The picture or vision will enable you to reach those incremental goals much easier, as the vision pulls you forward.

Set up a crossroads debrief meeting with yourself (or a partner) to review and make a list of what you have done since your last debrief or the past year. If this sounds overwhelming, here is a suggestion: Just as you write status reports to your managers, you can write one to yourself. This personal status report listing your accomplishments each month can be a useful tool for keeping track of your actions while moving you towards your goals and maintaining your motivation. Can you imagine what a jaw-dropping, eye-popping, good feeling experience it will be to review those accomplishments at year end?

Questions to consider:

What happened since my last crossroads debrief?

What goals have I reached?

Where am I on the goals not yet completed?

What were my most proud achievements? What did I do to reach them?

What challenges/difficult situations occurred? How did I handle them?

What did I do well? What would I like to do better?

Where do I want to go from here?

Step Two: Feel and act as if it already is here!

Today’s world is a difficult place-recession, workforce reductions, more work and less time, etc. All these circumstances can lead to difficult options. Let’s remember we always have a choice even when faced with alternatives we don’t care for. We can choose to be a victim (why me?) or we can choose to look for opportunities and move on! Step 2 is about taking responsibility for our attitude, emotions, and choices.

Below the Line is where we take on the role of victim. We play the Blame Game-why me? Why did they (whoever “they” are) do this to me? We stay stuck in anger, frustration, wishing for what was. We take a wait and see attitude, confused about what to do next, or in denial until our deepest fears happen. How does staying in this ‘victim mentality‘ serve you? Would you not rather be Above the Line, taking accountability for your feelings, reactions, and choices?

This is a four-step process:

1) See it – recognize and acknowledge the current situation and your feelings about it.

3) Solve it – finding and implementing solutions; perhaps as simple as updating your resume; thinking about what value you bring to the marketplace based on its needs, etc.

4) Do it – implement your plan, one small step at a time.

Step three: Be open to receiving it!

Now that you have put things in motion and feeling hopeful and motivated, it is important to be open to receiving the opportunities you want. Sound ridiculous? “Of course, I will,” you say! Sometimes we want something and deep down we do not believe we will find it. You could be thinking, “The economy is bad so there is no way I could get the job I want!” Or, “I will never find the relationship I want”, or… This way of thinking is NOT being open to receive!

Keep in mind possibilities are endless. Be open and know the opportunities best fitted for you are on the way. Otherwise, you may never see them coming!

Panaya Inc performed a SAP Salary Survey and the results are quite revealing. Meanwhile, ERP Executive Magazine and Coolinfographics.com teamed up and created this infographic from that data, which makes it very easy to understand the results. I was surprised to see SAP “Customer” salaries higher compared to “Integrator” aka consultants. Also, for a product that originates from Europe, US has higher salaries!!